Although some learning outcomes or subject area knowledge may be better achieved through discipline-specific instruction, deeper understanding may be attained through the integration of the disciplines. Some outcomes for each area of study complement each other and offer opportunities for subject area integration. Integrating Catholic studies with another area of study can help students apply their understanding within multiple contexts. Integrated, interdisciplinary instruction in a thematic unit, however, must be more than just a series of activities. An integrated unit must facilitate students' learning of the related disciplines and their understanding of the conceptual connections. The unit must address each individual subject area's outcomes and ensure that in-depth learning occurs. If deep understanding is to occur, the unit cannot be based on superficial or arbitrarily connected activities (Brophy & Alleman, 1991). The outcomes and activities of one area of study must not be obscured by the outcomes or activities of another area of study (Education Review Office, 1996, p. 13).
The following chart provides examples of how Catholic studies may be integrated with outcomes and contexts from other areas of study.
| Grade 9 Outcomes | Grade 9 Catholic Studies | |
|---|---|---|
| Arts Education | CP9.11 Select and use appropriate forms, technologies, images, and art- making processes to convey ideas about a topic of concern to youth. | CS9.11 Assess benefits, risks and responsibilities of digital citizenship from a Catholic perspective. |
| Career Education | LW9.2 Use acquired knowledge to create a plan for life and work based on one's preferred future. | CS9.9 Investigate what it means to be pro- life and describe the benefits and challenges of building a society that values the dignity of life. |
| Health Education | USC9.9 Develop and demonstrate the personal insight, motivation, and skills necessary to enhance and promote sexual health and avoid health-compromising sexual attitudes and behaviours. | CS9.10 Examine personal and societal impacts and ethical perspectives surrounding chastity, abstinence and sexual activity. |
| Language Arts | CR9.7a Read independently and demonstrate comprehension of a variety of information texts including expository essays, historical accounts, news articles, and scientific writing. | CS9.2 Examine the significance of God's covenantal relationship with humanity through the stories of:
|
| Mathematics | SP9.1 Demonstrate understanding of the effect of:
| CS9.5 Examine challenges and benefits of developing and living according to one's conscience. |
| Science | EU9.2 Analyze scientific explanations of the formation and evolution of our solar system and the universe. [SI] | CS9.1 Examine how science and religion influence understanding of creation and faith formation. |
| Social Studies | N9.2 Compare the factors that shape worldviews in a society, including time and place, culture, language, religion, gender identity, socio-economic situation, and education. | CS9.3 Express Catholic perspectives on faithful obedience, peace, love, hope and truth within the ongoing nature of salvation history. |
| Physical Education | PE9.13 Identify and analyze personal perspectives on how to manage the contemporary opportunities and challenges that influence one's ability to develop as a skillful mover, to live a balanced, active lifestyle, and to develop and maintain safe and respectful relationships. | CS9.6 Express how and why an individual would develop a personal relationship with God. |